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Greetings in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ,
I want to begin by giving a shout out to OMT members, Penny Babely, and Ryan Hughes. Marathon campers arrived this weekend to JKC and cabins that have been refreshed and repaired, a full staff excited and ready for camp, and grounds that have been lovingly spruced up by OMT members and volunteers. I hope you will join me in holding the campers and staff in your prayers over the next two weeks and then again for a week in July when Voyager campers will be on site. The first five months of the year at JKC were spent rebuilding in all kinds of ways. While there is still more rebuilding to be done, it is exciting to see the first fruits of that good work with kids at camp this summer.
I am reading the book, Imaginable, by Jane McGonigal. This book was used in one of the workshops I attended while at Presbyterian Leadership Formation in May. While it is not a book written specifically for the church, I am finding that it has a wealth of good questions and practices that are easily applicable for the church today. For example, McGonigal talks about “time spaciousness. It’s the relaxing and empowering feeling that we have enough time to do what really matters – to consider our options, make a plan and act more confidently to create the future we want.” The same holds true for space. “Studies have found that we also think more creatively and set higher, ‘maximal’, goals for ourselves when we’re in rooms with higher ceilings or in a wide-open environment.” This is why McGonigal likes to imagine ten year plans. The ten year timeline “lifts the ceiling on our imagination.”
What do you want the church to look like in ten years? Ponder that while you are at the beach with the wide expanse of ocean in front of you, or in the mountains with the endless sky at your fingertips, or maybe just in your backyard watching the birds skitter and the flowers grow. While you are not pushed for time nor badgered by deadlines, while you are outside in the abundant glory of creation, ponder the kind of future you want for the church. And then let’s start talking about our hopes and dreams, imaginings and possibilities together.
I hope you read through the rest of the newsletter. You will find links for advocacy zoom meetings, updates on the global ecumenical partnerships of the PCUSA, happenings in our congregations, and more.
Grace and peace,
Wendy
https://calendly.com/wendyneff
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Pentecost Offering
Northminster Presbyterian Church
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Northminster Presbyterian Church is excited to have our local portion of the Pentecost Offering help support the Youth Pride event this June at the Seed Theater, which is a local non-profit whose mission is “to support marginalized communities (particularly LGBTQ+, BIPOC and their families) in Chattanooga, TN by providing resources, education, support and community while celebrating differences through arts and culture.”
We would love to share with each other the ways our congregations are using their portion of the Pentecost offering in their communities.
You may write up a brief article and/or send pictures to office@presbyteryeasttn.org and we will include them in upcoming newsletters.
| | Special Service at Caledonia Pres. | | |
Hymns & Heritage: An American Celebration
Join us for a special evening of song, history, and fellowship as we celebrate the 4th of July with Hymns & Heritage! Together, we'll sing hymns that were written here in the United States and explore the powerful stories behind the American hymns and songs that have shaped our faith and our nation.
We will be led by Clay Oglesby, Director of Music Ministries at First Presbyterian Church of Morristown, TN and Director of Choral Activities at Walters State Community College.
Sunday, June 29th
5:00pm
Caledonia Presbyterian Church
After the hymn sing, stick around for a classic American cookout with good food, great company, and a joyful atmosphere for all ages. Bring your appetite and your love of music—let’s celebrate freedom and faith together!
All are welcome. Come sing, learn, and fellowship with us!
| | Presbyterian Youth Triennium | | |
The Presbyterian Youth Triennium (PYT) is an ecumenical event hosted by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and the Cumberland Presbyterian Church that gathers high school age young people every 3 years. It is a well-planned and thoughtfully led event focused on worship, disciple making, Christian compassion & justice and biblical/theological education. It is also a catalyst for many young people to take the next steps in their faith.
2025 Presbyterian Youth Triennium will be this July 28-31 in Louisville, KY. Be on the lookout for a Zoom informational session to learn more about the event and our how your youth can be a part of our presbytery’s delegation!
If you would like to register a group from your church to go, please reach out to Mason Warren masonwarren@fpctn.org or Paul Earheart-Brown paul.earheartbrown@maryvillecollege.edu
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New Leadership for PC(USA)
Global Ecumenical Partnerships
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Rev. Cheryl Barnes and Rev. Ellen Sherby are serving as team leads of the new Global Ecumenical Partnerships area of the Interim Unified Agency.
Rev. Barnes is the team manager of the U.S.-facing global ecumenical liaisons (GELs), who are excited to start supporting synods around the United States and to connect Presbyterians across mid councils, congregations, mission networks, diaspora communities, ethnic and racial communities, new worshiping communities and immigrant fellowships. Cheryl.Barnes@pcusa.org.
Rev. Sherby is the team manager of the internationally-facing global ecumenical liaisons (GELs), who are engaging with global partners and Presbyterians in the U.S., and exploring new ways of helping the church connect globally. Together, the Global Ecumenical Liaisons are working hard on team building and exploring the foundations for working together in a new global model. Ellen.sherby@pcusa.org.
We are focusing on creating a new sustainable model for global engagement. Colleagues from GEP and the Unification Management Office is engaging in team building. The GEL teams are eager to be in conversation with mid council leaders as part of this exploratory and learning work, and seek your prayers for patience, wisdom and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. If you have general questions about Global Ecumenical Partnerships, feel free to write to gepartnerships@pcusa.org.
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Presbyterian Advocacy Hour
Seeking Peace, Speaking Truth
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Seeking Peace, Speaking Truth:
Presbyterian Advocacy for Justice and Peace in the Holy Land
June 25th
12:00pm EDT
Register Here
The war in Gaza and the ongoing crisis in Palestine and Israel have brought immense suffering, deepened polarization, and stirred up urgent questions for people of faith. How do we respond to violence and injustice while honoring the dignity of all people? What does it mean to be a peacemaker in a time of war? And how can Presbyterians engage in faithful, effective advocacy that upholds human rights and the hope of peace?
This session of the Presbyterian Advocacy Hour will explore these questions through stories, reflection, and action.
Hear directly from:
Muna Nassar - a Palestinian Christian leader bringing the voices of our partners on the ground and sharing their hopes for working in solidarity with U.S. Christians to end this devastating war.
Peter Beinart – a leading Jewish political commentator, journalist, and professor reflecting on the current crisis and helping us distinguish between antisemitism and legitimate critique of Israeli policies.
Noushin Framke – a Presbyterian elder and leader in the Palestine Justice Network lifting up the church’s historic commitment to peace and justice in the region.
Together, we’ll ground ourselves in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s long-standing witness and learn from seasoned activists working to build a just and lasting peace in the Holy Land.
This hour will be a time of listening, learning, and lifting up faithful strategies to raise our voices on this urgent issue. You’ll come away with practical advocacy tools, stories of courage and resilience, and an invitation to take action in real time.
Come, listen deeply. Learn faithfully. Act boldly.
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Connected for Justice
PC(USA) Advocacy at a Glance
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June Ordination Anniversaries
Rev. Dennis Falasco, June 1, 44 years
Rev. William Pender, June 1, 45 years
Rev. Craig Hendrix, June 2, 50 years
Rev. Lauren Wright-Pittman, 6 years
Rev. Nikki Collins, June 12, 26 years
Rev. David Maude, June 14, 55 years
Rev. Frank Jump, June 16, 62 years
Rev. Beth MCCrary, June 16, 34 years
Rev. Cheryl Bourne, June 18, 25 years
Rev. Elizabeth Peterson, June 20, 21 years
Rev. David Horne, June 22, 56 years
Rev. Daniel McMillan, June 24, 41 years
Rev. Robert Cook, June 26, 45 years
Rev. Gloria Mencer, June 28, 10 years
Rev. Meredith Loftis, June 30th, 12 years
Rev. Rick McIntee, June 30th, 40 years
| | Resources for Congregations | | All articles must be submitted by Wednesday of the week prior to publication. Repeat publication of articles is at the discretion of the editor. Send your submissions to office@presbyteryeasttn.org. | | | | |
